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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Marie Kouakou <mariekouakou21@live.fr>
Reply-To: mariekouakou1@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 5 Aug 2012 01:17:37 +0800 (SGT)
Subject: Dear,




Dear Sir/Madam,

It might sound strange considering the fact that we do not know each other. I honestly do not wish to obtain a help on condition or to oblige you to help me for unspecified reason. It is not obligatory for you to help me, but if it is the wish of God that you help me to solve my problem, I will forever remain grateful to you and God will bless you abundantly.

I am Marie Kouakou a 21yrs old daughter of Late Mr. Daniel Kouakou. I live in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Western Africa. My father was an Exporter in the trade of the coffee and cocoa in the economic capital of the Ivory Coast. He was assassinated by unknown persons (Armed Rebels) in the family home in the past months. Since the presidential election of 28th November 2010, there have been numerous silent killings of prominent individuals and political party loyalists by unknown gunmen especially killings of 800 villager in Duekoue. You must have been aware of the political situation in my country Ivory Coast since the last year Presidential election which resulted to killings of more than 200 prominent politicians and business magnates.

However, before the death of my father, he explained to me that he deposited the sum of Ten Million Eight Hundred United States dollars (US$10.8M) in a Bank here  and named me the beneficiary/next of kin to the deposit. Now that he is dead, I have decided to invest the money in your country or anywhere outside Africa for political and safety reasons.

I seek your humble understanding and wisdom, to help me to transfer this money into your account or any account you would set up in your country for the purpose of investment while I shall come over to meet you and continue my education. I require of you this help with all my heart and wish to receive your sincere response, and that you tell me the possibility of helping me to regulate my problem with your sincerity and your honesty. You will be entitled to 15% of the total amount as compensation for your assistance in this project.

I am waiting to hear from you with the positive offer of your assistance so that I will give you more details. Please consider this and give me an honest and sincere answer.

God bless you.

Marie.

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